Falcons get another shot at Saints, looking to affirm direction
Are Matt Ryan and the Falcons headed forward? We'll find out Monday night in New Orleans. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
NEW ORLEANS — There have been enough times over the 40-plus seasons of Falcons-Saints games when we knew it really told us nothing about the future, other than maybe who would be happier once their hangover wore off.
One team stunk. Both teams stunk. Neither fan base was deluded into believing their team was that great, just better than the other one. It was the closest thing the NFL got to a college rivalry.
But the meeting in New Orleans Monday night will be different. This game likely will tell us something about the future for the Falcons. They’re almost certainly headed to the playoffs, and it’s possible their first-round game will be in the Superdome.
We know about the Saints: They’ve won six straight. Drew Brees, coach Mike Smith said, “is operating at a level we probably haven’t seen,” having thrown 16 touchdowns and zero interceptions in the last five games. Because of Brees, New Orleans is a Super Bowl threat.
We don’t really about the Falcons: They’ve played their best six quarters of the season consecutively. But that has come against Carolina (6-9) and Jacksonville (4-11), so they’re not quite feeling a group hug yet.
Their 9-5 record breaks down this way: 7-1 against teams currently with losing records, 2-4 against teams with winning or .500 records (including Chicago, which was 7-7 going into its game at Green Bay game Sunday night.).
The Falcons were viewed as a title contender at this time a year ago, and we know where that got them. They’re viewed as something less than that now. They’ll tell you they’re fine with that because they have the wild card/Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers as a reference point. But this is when the Packers stepped on the gas a year ago (winning their last two before the playoffs, including 45-17 over the Giants in game 15).
This is when the Falcons can begin to define direction and alter perceptions.
“It’s an important game because we’re going down the stretch and this is a big test for us,” wide receiver Roddy White said. “This could be a really big statement game for us, especially if we have to go back down there to play these guys again in two weeks.”
The Saints haven’t clinched the NFC South yet. But for the Falcons to win the division and clinch a home playoff game, they would have to win in the Superdome and again next week over Tampa Bay, then hope New Orleans loses its finale against Carolina. In that scenario, the Falcons would be the NFC’s No. 3 seed and host a first-round game against Detroit. As a wild card, the Falcons would travel to either the NFC East winner (Dallas or New York) if they’re the fifth seed, or New Orleans or San Francisco if they’re the the sixth seed (which ever opponent had the lesser record).
The scenarios would be different if the Falcons hadn’t, in their view, given away a game to New Orleans six weeks ago. The Saints won in overtime 26-23. You might recall something about a fourth-and-1 decision by coach Mike Smith in overtime that backfired. But Atlanta also had three red zone possessions that resulted in only field goals. Matt Bryant missed a field goal. Quarterback Matt Ryan threw an interception that led to three Saints’ points.
If any of those things fall the Falcons’ way, the teams probably are tied at 10-4 today instead of separated by two games. That game still stings.
“Guys have had this game circled,” Smith said.
“This is the one that we want,” White said.
“When we lost, we knew this game would be here later on in the season,” center Todd McClure said. “We want to go back and get a little revenge.”
This is their chance. The Falcons’ playoff lives aren’t on the line. But how they play against one of the league’s better teams should tell us something more about where they’re going.
By Jeff Schultz
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424 comments Add your comment
MG3
December 26th, 2011
12:11 pm
Mr. Charlie – nice clip and shows exactly what kind of winner we have playing QB. He’s been winning games in the 4th quarter his whole career. Playoff wins will come. For now I’m happy to be playing meaningful ball games in Dec & Jan year after year. Bree’s didn’t win anything until year 8 with his 2nd team.
tfalcon
December 26th, 2011
12:20 pm
@SEENTHISB4 MAN IM REALLY GLAD UR COMING OUT WITH THAT,NOW U CAN LET EVERYONE KNOW WHAT IVE ALWAYS KNOWN THAT U LOVE UP THE BACK SIDE
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:25 pm
Give me your chances:
Falcons beating Saints Tonight: My guess – 75%
Panthers beating Saints Next Week: My guess 50% (after all, the Panthers have nothing to lose. Cam playing great. Saints feel the pressure of not losing last two games.)
If that happens…we win the Division. And we get a 1st round home game vs Lions.
It all starts tonight.
Your thoughts?
falconion.4.life
December 26th, 2011
12:26 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjbw6WSFqEw
falconion.4.life
December 26th, 2011
12:29 pm
Damn! Wrong video before guys. Sorry.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
12:29 pm
Eagles Organization vs Falcons Organization:
Since some of you LOSERS asked for this, I will break it down for you.
The Eagles management actually have a long range plan when they make transactions, unlike the Falcons win they make rash and emotional decisions. The Eagles do not believe in sacrificing their draft picks to hype up their fan base. They would never give up their high draft picks for a single player, especially a player who has not proven himself.
Here are the recent transactions through the Eagles draft:
Since 2007 here are the Eagles top draft picks:
Brent Celek – Tight End
Jason Avant – Slot Receiver
Desean Jackson – Number 1 Receiver/Punt Returner
Jeremy Maclin – Number 2 Receiver
Lesean McCoy – Starting Back
This past draft:
Starting Center
Starting Tackle
The Eagles do not believe in using 1st round picks on receivers or running backs, or even tight ends.
Celek, Jackson, Avant, Maclin, McCoy all were later draft selections. Unlike the Falcons, they did not send their entire draft for an unproven player.
ANALYSIS:
The Eagles know how to draft because they have a legit GM & President.
That’s why Andy Reid has been in the playoffs 9 out of 13 seasons and has gone to 5 championship
games and a superbowl.
After this season, if the Falcons don’t win the superbowl, because they have no drafts next season, and Tony Gonzalez at the end of his career with no backup tight end with his caliber on the roster
the Falcons window will be shut tighter than Mrs. Charlies brain cells.
The free fall will start tonight.
Have a nice day
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:34 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan . Again – Yet another example of what losers like you do. Spend all your day bytchin’ bout the Falcons. A team that is going to the playoffs again! while your team (And Vick) are sitting at home AGAIN! ! !
Go sit your az zzzzz down somewhere, shut up and “WAIT TIL NEXT YEAR! ! ! !. That’s all can do now.
GO Falcons
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:35 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan why don’t you change your name to “Waiting On Next Year Again”.
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:37 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan = Wait “Til Next” Year
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:39 pm
Matt Ryan the Falcons Quarterback is still relevant this season. What about Vick and the Eagles….
I don’t think so. Homey don’t play dat! ! !
realitycheck
December 26th, 2011
12:39 pm
Falcons4Eva………Saints are 6-0 at home,6-0 against the spread, and winning by an avg. of 3 TD’s per game. No way they now lose 2 straight home games. NOT A CHANCE! Can’t believe you really think that Falcons still have a “great chance” to win division. Falcons have beaten all these rookie QB’s, but they won’t see one tonight. If the Falcons pull the upset tonight, which I don’t think they will, we just might see Smith and Blank kiss this time around. You would have thought the Falcons just won the SB after that exchange on the sideline after last year’s overtime win. LOL!
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:41 pm
Matt “CHOKE” Ryan
December 26th, 2011
12:29 pm
“That’s why Andy Reid has been in the playoffs 9 out of 13 seasons and has gone to 5 championship games and a superbowl”
—————————————————————————-
And that’s why they will be sitting at home come playoff times this year.
And that’s why you Matt “CHOKE” Ryan will be watching the Falcons play! ! !
Ha ha ha
MG3
December 26th, 2011
12:41 pm
Choke – Vick is back to doing what he does…kill coaches by looking great one year then being hurt and losing the next. Good luck in 2012. I know the consistent Falcons will be there Jan 2013, will your Eagles? Guess it’s another wait and see off season.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2011
12:42 pm
I agree, Philly has a great organization, but they just have a washed up QB who lived his glory years who has not won a significant game since 2004. Until they get a QB, they will not even see another playoff. Mike Vick? LOL, may as well have Rex Grossman.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2011
12:44 pm
Falcons have a young guy who is going to the playoffs for the rd time in 4 years. Philly has a washed up QB sitting at home whose best football was played in 2004, talking about next years draft.
Where would you rather be right now?
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:44 pm
realitycheck
December 26th, 2011
12:39 pm
————————————————————-
I didnt say it was realistic that those things could happen. As a FAN of the FALCONS, I have to believe in my team. And hope those things happen.
The fact is, the Saints are NOT absolutely unbeatable. They can be beat. The Falcons and the Saints for the last 4 games always comes down to a field goal. Do you really believe we have no chance in beating you in the the Super Dome? We did last year. Its possible is all I’m, saying.
MG3
December 26th, 2011
12:46 pm
Funny how Cam is superman and world beater by many on this blog, and rightfully so by the way b/c he’s amazing, until the Falcons destroy Carolina twice. Then they just beat another rookie QB right. Saints lose tonight and they will be feeling some serious pressure next week. So much for resting those starters.
Derrick
December 26th, 2011
12:46 pm
Tonight the falcons will start their playoff run. i m hera to say they will win it tonight,and thesuper bowl. It is our time to rise up. that what falcons do: Rise up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
12:47 pm
I think the CHOKE Kissers are missing the big picture.
Just like the evolution man & the 1st human skeletal remains discovered in Africa there is a reason for CHOKE’s failures.
There can only be one WINNER – CHOKE is just doing his part as the LOSER.
We just wish he wasn’t so consisttent
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:50 pm
I have a gut feeling that Mike Smith has something special in mind for tonight. He (Mike Smith) knows that Sean Payton has his number. Sean Payton and Brees has dominated the Falcons in terms of wins and losses.
Mike Smith and the Falcons has a LOT of motivation to win this game. The pressure is squarely on the Saints to win tonight. It the Saints Lose tonight, it will cast doubt about them more so than the Falcons.
A Falcon victory tonight raises the stakes BIG TIME next week for the Saints.
MG3
December 26th, 2011
12:51 pm
Not only is a win tonight possible but the Saints could also face a very tough test next week. Not saying they’ll lose both or even either, but they can forget about strolling into the playoffs. Brees and company have a couple of physical tests ahead of them.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
12:51 pm
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2011
12:44 pm
Falcons have a young guy who is going to the playoffs for the rd time in 4 years. Philly has a washed up QB sitting at home whose best football was played in 2004, talking about next years draft.
Where would you rather be right now?
__________________________________________________
That’s a great question.
It’s just like that science study where the mouse is trapped in a maze. He keeps finding an opening
but he never finds the opening that will free him.
CHOKE is the maze & his fans are the mice. They think because they find an opening is room for
celebration, but they find out later that the opening CHOKE teases them with, is not the opening that
leads to success.
Great question though
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
12:55 pm
CHOKE is like a stripper and his butt kissers are his loyal patrons.
He teases them with a little thigh or boob and they just know the best part is about to be revealed
yet, every year they can only fantasize about what players like Joe Flacco, Mark Sanchez & soon to be Matt Stafford will accomplish.
CHOKE can only realize that dream if he plays MADDEN
MG3
December 26th, 2011
12:56 pm
Wow, Choke has now gone delusional. MR2 a loser? He’s the 2nd or 3rd winningest QB in the league since entering. Keep spewing garbage, hoping for the resurrection of Vick, and the Falcons will just keep winning games.
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
12:56 pm
Motivation for Falcons:
1.) Still a chance to win the Division and get a home playoff game.
2.) Still ticked off about the lost last time they played here on the 4th and 1 play.
3.) Erase doubt in their own minds about the Saints.
4.) Everyone Nationally think the Saints will win (and that Saints are the #1 threat to Green Bay)
5.) Mike Smith is irritated by Sean Payton dominance over him.
6.) Falcons chance to get that “signature victory” and get National respect.
7.) To a man, each of the Falcons players have a chance to prove to themselves they are a REAL contender in the NFC.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
12:57 pm
All you need to know about CHOKE:
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=MATT+ryan+pick+6+vs+packers&mid=39B32B50EB5D6236929F39B32B50EB5D6236929F&view=detail&FORM=VIRE1
Would a qb with INTELLIGENCE do this to his team and fans?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
12:59 pm
CHOKE will never win a play.off game.
Deal with it LOSERS
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
1:00 pm
The Falcons WILL win tonight! Bank on it.
falconion.4.life
December 26th, 2011
1:04 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibgs-3hhk40&feature=related
Mister.Earl
December 26th, 2011
1:09 pm
Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey issued the ultimate compliment to Saints fans when he said they actually caused communications problems for the Falcons offense at their game in Atlanta.
“It was much louder, for a home game, than we anticipated. We had some problems in the gun which you wouldn’t have expected being at home. Their fans gave us problems at home. We weren’t prepared for that so we had a little bit of miscommunications.”
falconion.4.life
December 26th, 2011
1:12 pm
Damn Choke….You’re cold. Posting that video, that’s something I would never do
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibgs-3hhk40&feature=related
falconion.4.life
December 26th, 2011
1:13 pm
Oops…..slip of the finger…..
MG3
December 26th, 2011
1:22 pm
I understand and have been there before. Must suck to be one of the left over Vick fans right about now…all you can do is troll around the blog all day stirring things up since your season is over.
falconion.4.life
December 26th, 2011
1:29 pm
I know what you mean MG. These Vick lovers will never accept the fact that Matty is our playoff QB while Vicky will be home watching us in January with his milk bones.
This is why we got Matty: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfk5zH9-ou8&feature=related
Falcons4Eva
December 26th, 2011
1:43 pm
In response to Matt “CHOKE” Ryan post at December 26th, 2011 12:57 pm:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIBoqgJKdLw
Vick throws an interception to the same guy, to the same team, and loss chance to into playoff.
We can play that all day long! ! But what about this fact:
Vick and Eagles (and your sorry butt) will be home WATCHING the Falcons play in the playoffs this year.
Got a video post for that you LOSER?
Tojo
December 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
Hey choke,
did you just reference skeletons in africa on a football blog? please explain yourself. No, really…we want to know what you’re thinking. How do skeletons, and where they are found or not found, play into your arguments on how good or not good Matt Ryan is?
Will somebody who has the authority please review this idiots body of work and find enough reason to ban him?
Turk
December 26th, 2011
1:47 pm
PAYTON MANNING DID NOT WIN A PLAY OFF GAME FOR 6 SEASONS!!! TAINT FANS ARE ALSO FUNNY! THEY ARE TRYING TO MAKE ACCOUNTS AS FALCON FANS BUT ARE ACTUALLY TAINT FANS. oh i did not realize i had my caps on. oh WELL. Ryan out performed Brees when they met the first time this year. Ryan had 351 yards while Brees had like 305. RYAN IS GO BETTER THEN BREES!
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 26th, 2011
1:59 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan, dude, I’m a Falcon’s fan, and I don’t take this stuff personally. You make me laugh dude. I do have fun with the banter. But bruh, where do you get the time to be on this blog?
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
2:02 pm
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 26th, 2011
1:59 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan, dude, I’m a Falcon’s fan, and I don’t take this stuff personally. You make me laugh dude. I do have fun with the banter. But bruh, where do you get the time to be on this blog?
_______________________________________
“bruh” – is that a type of seasoning like broth?
Mitch (the one in Rome)
December 26th, 2011
2:07 pm
Matt “Choke” Ryan, its the starter for some good home brew.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
2:08 pm
Schultz might hit 6000 post for this game tonight. CHOKE and HiRam will have swollen fingers trying to post fastest enough tonight.
NewOrleansJazz
December 26th, 2011
2:11 pm
What Kind of Affirmation?
No affirmation here, not tonight. Barking up the wrong tree.
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
2:11 pm
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.html
Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith is big Drew Brees fan: First-and-10 column
Head to the NoLa blog and join the fight there too.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
2:15 pm
The worst case scenario for CHOKE would be having to go up to New York in a snow storm.
Can you imagine how that strong swirling wind will make CHOKE’s noodle arm passes float like
nerf balls?
That will be hilarious
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
2:20 pm
CHOKE how did you get your throwing so so Strong? I bet you over work it in the shower and that is how you got the Tennis Elbow and Bad Eyesight.
Matt "CHOKE" Ryan
December 26th, 2011
2:22 pm
5150 UOAD
December 26th, 2011
2:20 pm
CHOKE how did you get your throwing so so Strong? I bet you over work it in the shower and that is how you got the Tennis Elbow and Bad Eyesight.
_________________________________________
So it was you peeping in my shower – you PERV
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2011
2:23 pm
It is funny, “Quit” Vick’s pick to Tramon Williams sealed the LOSS in the Wild Card game.
Ryan’s pick was the first half, and so it was not the game sealer, plus it was in the 2nd round.
So Season 1: MV7 loses in WC; Ice in round 2….Winner, Matty Ice
Season 2: MV7 sitting home talking about next year, Ice tuning up for the Playoffs. Winner: IIIIIICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
No Mas at the Dome
NewOrleansJazz
December 26th, 2011
2:23 pm
We need 2 let the Failcants win tonight
so that they keep Mike Smith as their coach for another three disappointing seasons or so.
Mr Charlie
December 26th, 2011
2:26 pm
FACT Ice got farther in the Playoffs last season than Vick, AND he has gone farther this season too. What more proof do we need?
Plus, the eagles admit ‘we collapsed under the weight of expectations”. WHAT? And you call Ice a Choker? I feel another off the page laugh coming up….HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
The_Falconer
December 26th, 2011
2:27 pm
Since we’re posting videos and all,….
The True Meaning of Determination
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDd5DPAGoCk